Hill Top Tap — Restaurant in London

Absolutely horrible service. The pub was 3/4 empty. I went to the bar to order my food and drink and the bartender said it would take and hour and a half to be served. So I didn’t order any food because who wants to wait that long on a weeknight in a nearly empty pub. Then I tried to order a cocktail off the menu and the bartender said that they don’t have that drink. I asked what they did have and he listed 5 cocktails that were available (there are dozens on the menu) none of which I wanted so I ordered a cider instead. Then other people at my table returned with cocktails of their choice that weren’t on this bartenders list of available drinks. So I went to the bar and asked for the manager and the guy that initially served me said that he was the manager (which I didn’t exactly believe given his previous unwillingness to actually serve me as a client). When I told him that he didn’t allow me to order a drink of my choice and misled me in believing that only 5 cocktails were available when other bartenders were serving other patrons the drinks of their choice he denied everything and said that told me the most popular drinks but that there were more. He basically changed his story. Then when I said I didn’t believe him he refused to serve me a drink at all. The owners should know that the people that are representing themselves as management are refusing service (our whole table came for dinner but then didn’t order when he gave a ridiculous serve time), dissuading clients from ordering the most profitable drinks and then misrepresenting the truth. Horrible service, horrible management… no wonder the place is empty on the night of an England...

I've been here many times and enjoyed the place. Tonight, while outside on the phone to a friend while 'glasses outside curfew' passed, WITH AN EMPTY GLASS... the bar manager informed me of the curfew, and i offered him my empty glass, to comply... "You're not coming back in!" was his response as he collected my glass.

Thinking he was having a bit of banter, i finished my call and went to the (empty) bar to order another drink, and he refused to serve me, because "I'd not brought my glass in when i was told to" (!?)

Maybe he has something going on in his life today? Maybe collecting glasses is below him as a bar manager? I really don't know, but I hope he figures it out, genuinely.

That said, my experience did force me to look elsewhere tonight. I had to walk nearly 50 METRES to find another bar, but i can tell you, I got the same drink, in a much friendlier place, for less than HALF the cost!!!

To anyone thinking of visiting The Hill Top Tap, I recommend this place...

The Tailor's Chalk - JD Wetherspoon

Just down the road. Highly recommended.

Maybe the price difference is why the hill top tap was so empty, or maybe it was the staff...? I can't say. Cost had never been a concern of mine, but customer service makes all the difference.

All i know, is that The Tailor's Chalk was FULL of people, the bar staff were very welcoming, and the drinks were half the price of the hill top tap

Everyday is a school day, and i certainly learned something today, and i thank you for forcing me to find a new place to spend (half...

Edit: I'm very sure you're not sorry. Especially based on the other apologies you've made on other reviews. Stick ur apology in the bin, all you're trying to do is save face. Nice pr skills though!

Terrible venue, I've been before and it's been alright but this experience has tarnished that. What could have been a very nice end to the night ended up being the worst ending possible.

I had a regular try and fight me as I was leaving just because I existed I guess? This guy punched me in the face, and then proceeded to hit my gf in the back of the head, as well as another friend (a woman) in the face.

Worst part is, we then had the angry bald manager (as well as other higher up staff members) shouting/screaming at us to leave when we've done nothing wrong, other than stand up for ourselves. We're waiting for a psychopath to leave the premises, and the police to arrive so we can in turn leave safely. They didn't like that.

Basically the staff (especially the managers) are morally questionable people, who would rather protect their regular customers from trouble. Than protect their patrons from being hurt or injured by a raving lunatic.

This is unsurprising though tbh, as it's the same regulars getting into fights there, and they for some reason keep allowing them to come back in. Basically the business has no integrity.

Overall, I'd avoid spending money in this...